The Perfect Elevator Pitch (part 2 of 2)

So now that we have outlined what an elevator pitch should not be, what are the critical elements of an arresting, memorable elevator pitch that will land you an interview, or the dream job, or the financing for your new start-up? How does one create this key speech?

Crafting your speech

The truth is there is no absolutely perfect way. There are innumerable ways to craft such a speech. However, here are some helpful tips on what you can do to find the right words to describe your intrinsic value to a potential employer or backer.

After reading a few times the position description for which you are applying, write out in an inspiring space - perhaps outdoors is the weather is good - all the ways in which you and your skills FIT well to that position description. What about it excites you and why? Write this down.

Try to find the best ways [to your own mind] to describe that strong fit - with your background experience and specific qualifications and attributes, describe in the strongest terms possible that fit. How does it translate - the fit - into the critical expected functions of the role? From the way you describe this, and the accuracy and compelling details of the description - these are your personal marketing points and define what makes you uniquely right for the role.

Identify your key qualities

If you are unable to find the correct words to make that strong fit obvious, yet know nonetheless that it is a perfect fit, you may need help to prepare your elevator pitch, or get it down pat. But before doing this, ask your family, your colleagues that you trust, your friends, your neighbours, to describe you - be thorough - what ARE your key qualities, both hard skills and soft? How do you define your personality, and your values? Do you demonstrably live your life according to your values?

Once equipped with a solid sense of how you are perceived, it will be easier for you to understand which points about your character, personality, skills, and qualifications relate definitely to the specific role.

If you have difficulty imagining yourself in the role, or it does not excite you, this is an indication that it is not a role you should apply for.

5 steps to an exceptional elevator pitch

There are 5 steps, then, involved in crafting and performing an exceptional elevator pitch - for an interview situation:

1. Know the role well [that you are applying to], and fully understand the expectations for the role and the core skills involved in fulfilling it. Make a list of those expectations - which will be connoted, if not directly stated, within the job description.
2. Know your own core strengths, and understand how those strengths dovetail with the demands of the role. Write them down - all of your core strengths - and in the order of their strength. You can do a strengths finder test if you find this difficult to do on your own.
3. Unite these two elements in the crafting of your pitch, using language that is compelling, direct, apt, yet not effusive. Be clear and as eloquent as possible. Boil that initial description down to 75 words if you are aiming for a 30 second pitch - 150 if a one-minute pitch during an interview that answers the dangerous “tell us a little about yourself” question.
4. Practice, but do not memorize. Learn how to eloquently give the gist of your pitch and at a natural pace, inflecting where it will matter. Record yourself and listen back, to know and evaluate how it sounds. Seek the advice of someone you trust, and test it on them. Seek their feedback and trust your gut on that feedback - if it makes sense.
5. When the time comes to give your pitch, look your audience in the eyes, each of them when speaking. Even if remotely interviewing, try to connect to your audience. Give your elevator pitch with calm conviction, imbuing your tone with the authority of truth - with your integrity of purpose.

Get noticed

This is what gets noticed: integrity, truth, purpose: a sensibility that is fully aware of itself and well understands their strengths, yet without conceit.

At CareerHD, our experienced Career Coaches are here to help you craft your exceptional elevator pitch, one that is honestly you and effectively highlights your top attributes for a role. We are here to help, get in touch with us today!